Adrenal cancer is a rare but potentially deadly type of cancer. Symptoms range from hormonal imbalance to unintended weight changes, or other potential warning signs. Adrenal cancer occurs when abnormal cells emerge and multiply in the adrenal glands. The disease is most common in children under the age of 5 and adults in their 40s and 50s. While medical researchers haven’t identified a specific cause of adrenal cancer, they know that your risk is higher if you have an inherited syndrome such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Carney complex, or multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1.
Diagnosis: A variety of tests are used to identify adrenal cancer, typically beginning with blood tests and urinalysis to assess your hormone levels. Imaging tests, including MRI, CT, and PET scans, may be used to look for abnormal growths on your adrenal glands and signs that the cancer has metastasized to nearby organs like your lungs or liver. If these tests indicate adrenal cancer, your doctor orders a biopsy or removes the entire affected adrenal gland to test for cancer.
